How to store and organise your handbags

For many women, handbags are a key part of their wardrobe. Not only is a beautiful bag a fashion statement but it is also a confidence booster, so it’s important that you keep your handbags in good condition.

Not only is a beautiful bag a fashion statement but it is also a confidence booster, so it’s important that you keep your handbags in good condition.

Creative and practical storage solutions can help you better organise your clutches, purses, shoulder bags, beach bags and the like. With a clear organisational system in place, you’ll be able to protect your bag collection from dust, scratches and getting bent out of shape.

Lesley Moyo, Professional Organiser from Tidylifesa, shares tips on how to store your handbags safely.

The challenge of storing handbags

Storing or finding storage for your handbags is difficult for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the biggest challenge is that they come in different textures, sizes and designs, and can therefore not all be kept in one place. As such, you need to find a place that caters for their different storage needs.

The other reason is that most women are not satisfied with just one or two handbags. In most instances, they prefer to have handbags and clutches that match their outfits. As such, you’ll find that their closets are simply overwhelmed by the number of bags, clutches and purses. The space is too small to accommodate a lady’s ever-increasing number of bags.

The biggest challenge is that they come in different textures, sizes and designs, and can therefore not all be kept in one place. As such, you need to find a place that caters for their different storage needs.

At times you’ll find that some people are not very practical when it comes to organising their handbags, but rather want to go the stylish and individualistic route. They’re not satisfied with keeping their bags on a shelf so they struggle to find storage that speaks to who they are as individuals.

Finding inspiration

Trying to figure out where to put your bag collection or how to arrange it may seem like a simple task but sometimes you might need a little help. Fortunately, ideas are everywhere.

Women can find the answers they are looking for in magazines and on social media. They can find inspiration in celebrity houses, their friends’ homes and boutique displays, just take in how they’ve presented their handbags and use this in your own setting. You could learn a thing or two, but ultimately, your individuality should guide you.

Creative storage ideas

Who said handbags can only be stored in a wardrobe in the bedroom or kept locked up in a walk-in closet?

Some rooms in the home can be a bore, but a big, bright handbag can breathe some life into it. So, why not incorporate your handbags into your décor?

Some rooms in the home can be a bore, but a big, bright handbag can breathe some life into it. So, why not incorporate your handbags into your décor? Use a glamourous bag in the study, hallway or living room. How about a shiny or sequined clutch bag to decorate your dining room?

Handbag racks, closets and chest of drawers are ideal because they can hold a lot of bags at the same time.

Coat hangers also make for good storage because you can hook any bag with a strap onto it.

Alternatively, you could slot your handbags in cubby holes, recycle old shoe boxes for storing your small clutches, or line them up on a shelf and pack them away in clear perspex boxes. This makes it easy to navigate and will save you a lot of time as you can instantly see which handbag is which.

Protecting your bags

Once you’ve found some storage, it’s important to protect your investment against dust, water and oil stains, and unpleasant odours.

Avoid hanging handbags made from delicate material on a handbag rack. Bags on a rack tend to collect a lot of dust and so do open closets, so if you can’t wipe down the fabric with a cotton cloth, then find another place to store your handbag.

The biggest challenge is that handbags come in different textures, sizes and designs, and can therefore not all be kept in one place. As such, you need to find a place that caters for their different storage needs.

One way around the dust issue is to place your bags in a dust bag, draw string bag or old pillow case. This should protect them from scratches and nicks too.

By recycling some old newspapers and stuffing them inside your handbags, you can prevent them from losing their shape. Newspapers are great because they are affordable, easily accessible and can absorb moisture. As such, you don’t have to worry about your handbags developing mould.

What to keep in mind

Remember that handbags, like people, are different, therefore trying to store them in a similar way will not work. Some bags just won't fit into a space while some are more likely to lose shape.

You should also keep the frequency that you use each bag in mind. Bags that are used on a regular basis should be stored close by while those that you use for special occasions can be stored under the bed, on a top shelf or displayed so that they make part of the décor.